Title: Lessons from Noah/Topic: Right Living

Today’s Reading: Genesis 6; Genesis 7; Genesis 8; Luke 3

Scripture: Genesis 6:5-9
5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.

Observation: Several observations came to mind as I read these verses. #1 – People tend toward wickedness, not goodness. The notion that people are inherently good and corrupted only by their environment is a purely humanistic notion that has no basis in reality. #2 – God feels great personal pain at the wickedness of his children whom he created. It is like the pain of a parent who, though he loves his child, is grieved with a child who rejects everything the parent stands for. #3 – Noah was a most incredible man. In a world of people so perverse and violent that God felt the need to destroy them, he maintains a righteous life. He manages to stay close to God despite having no support system other than his immediate family.

Application: I don't want to be a child that causes my Heavenly Father any pain. My actions affect Him emotionally; God can be grieved, though his grief does not change who he is or how he applies justice and grace. I need to not think of myself more highly than I ought by thinking that I am basically a “good” person. Constant repentance the way to cleansing my thoughts so that they line up with God's. From Noah I learn that I have no excuse for living an unrighteous life. I cannot blame my environment. No matter how much temptation is around me, I can keep myself on the path of godliness by staying intimate with God. It is my responsibility to do so, even if no one else follows. I even have the power of the Holy Spirit living within me to help me. Noah didn't have that and he still managed to stay on track with God.

Prayer: Father, I have no righteousness of my own to stand on. The inclination of my flesh is toward evil. Only the blood of Jesus cleanses me from that sin and our Spirit within keeps me on the right path. Thank you for providing such powerful gifts. May I be found worthy of them by accessing them so as to be found righteous in your sight. May I be a child that brings you joy and pride instead of heartache. I love you so. I'm so grateful for all that you have provided for me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.